Residents urged to be vigilant

Dock Taylor Jr. Tuscaloosa

Published: Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 11:00 p.m.

Dear Editor: About 50 residents from the Sutton Place/Skyland Park area attended the Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday night (April 19) to speak out about their concerns involving plans for a project proposal to build apartments in their neighborhood.

Many left the meeting disgusted after waiting patiently for at least three hours to address this issue, only to be told by the panel that they were recommending a continuance.

This decision came shortly after the Zoning Commission learned that Cameo Developers did not meet with local residents to discuss their plans.

Our neighborhood is a vibrant, strong community that has a family-oriented atmosphere. Its residents take pride in the community and regard it with a sense of ownership.

Many people are concerned because they were not notified (of the zoning change) and feel the developers tried to bamboozle their way in without any intentions of meeting with local residents. Other residents echoed these comments and said the apartments would ruin their neighborhood, bringing crime, more traffic, and lowering property values. An elderly man told me, "Normally, when people buy a home and live there for 25 or 30 years, they do not expect apartments to be built in their neighborhood."

I am encouraging all residents living in this area to standby and stay tuned to the next Planning and Zone meeting concerning your community. There are times it may seem your voices will not be heard, but keep in mind that there is strength in numbers.

<p>Dear Editor: About 50 residents from the Sutton Place/Skyland Park area attended the Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday night (April 19) to speak out about their concerns involving plans for a project proposal to build apartments in their neighborhood.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Many left the meeting disgusted after waiting patiently for at least three hours to address this issue, only to be told by the panel that they were recommending a continuance.</p><p>This decision came shortly after the Zoning Commission learned that Cameo Developers did not meet with local residents to discuss their plans.</p><p>Our neighborhood is a vibrant, strong community that has a family-oriented atmosphere. Its residents take pride in the community and regard it with a sense of ownership.</p><p>Many people are concerned because they were not notified (of the zoning change) and feel the developers tried to bamboozle their way in without any intentions of meeting with local residents. Other residents echoed these comments and said the apartments would ruin their neighborhood, bringing crime, more traffic, and lowering property values. An elderly man told me, "Normally, when people buy a home and live there for 25 or 30 years, they do not expect apartments to be built in their neighborhood."</p><p>I am encouraging all residents living in this area to standby and stay tuned to the next Planning and Zone meeting concerning your community. There are times it may seem your voices will not be heard, but keep in mind that there is strength in numbers.</p>